The Pirates play their final game of the month against Plymouth Argyle this weekend at the Memorial Stadium off the back of four defeats in the last six in Sky Bet League One.

Chuck in the narrow defeat to Wolves in the Carabao Cup – that makes it five losses in September – and it now means Rovers are 16th in the league, but just three points off the top ten.

Bristol Rovers applaud the fans after losing at Fratton Park on Tuesday night

With Rovers failing to find some consistency this season, a forward-looking Clarke – who has claimed two promotions and a top ten finish while at Rovers - has said exactly how they will deal with the negativity.

“We just regroup, dust ourselves down, take the flack, move on and shut people up like we like to do,” he stated.

Clarke added: “We know we’re slightly underachieving at the minute in a tough league and the manager knows he is slightly underachieving.”

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Rovers’ most recent loss – despite a strong first half at Fratton Park - came against Portsmouth on Tuesday night as a Brett Pitman brace helped clinch Kenny Jackett’s side a 3-0 win.

Clarke made three changes for the Pompey game after seeing off Blackpool the previous Saturday and, asked if he would be tempted to give the same lads another go, or switch things around, the Rovers boss was his usual mystery self.

Darrell Clarke

“We’ll see. It’s a new game, a new project and we will how things line up nearer the time,” said Clarke.

He later went on to talk about his players, and his personal expectations: “The players are in good spirits – and they’re a confident bunch. They’re an honest bunch and I know that. There is not anyone in there kidding themselves.

“My expectations will always be sky high and the expectations are always up there. I don’t change how I go about my business. I’m a great believer in what I do and how to get the best out of a group.